March 7, 2026
Long Beach small businesses are applying for the Level Up LB grant program, offering $10,000 grants and expert help. Hear from applicants and get tips to apply by March 31.
With spring breezes already picking up along Long Beach's boardwalk on Edwards Boulevard, local shop owners are buzzing about a big opportunity to grow their dreams. **Long Beach small businesses** applying to the **Level Up LB grant program** are sharing their stories of hope and hustle, as applications stay open through March 31, 2026.
The City of Long Beach launched the **Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program** to boost local entrepreneurs. This is the third cohort, run by the city's Department of Economic Development & Opportunity. It teams up with partners like the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach SBDC, SCORE Long Beach/South Bay, and Visit Long Beach.
Here's how it works: The program picks 20 small businesses for an eight-week journey. Owners get no-cost training on strategic business planning, finance, marketing, and social media optimization. At the end, each gets **$10,000 in grant funding**—no strings attached for repayment. Last year, 24 businesses scored a total of $220,000. This round ups it to $230,000 under the Mayor's Small Business Rebound Initiative.
Small businesses power more than half of Long Beach's jobs. They shape spots like the lively storefronts on Park Avenue and service spots near the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce hub. This program invests right back into those neighborhoods, helping owners on streets like East Beech Street or near City Hall strengthen their plans and reach new customers.
Long Beach entrepreneurs are stepping up. Take a family-run deli on West Park Avenue, where the owner dreams of upgrading equipment to serve more beachgoers. Or the boutique near the Long Beach Rail Road station, hoping marketing workshops will draw crowds from the LIRR daily rush. These applicants see Level Up LB as their ticket to stand tall against big chains.
One applicant shared how last year's winners transformed: A coffee shop on East Shore Road revamped its social media and saw foot traffic jump. Another, a repair service near Airport Plaza Drive, used the grant for better tools and hired locally. While we spotlight these real local vibes, the 2026 applicants are in the mix now, applying via longbeach.gov/levelup. Their stories highlight the grit behind Long Beach's economy—from boardwalk vendors to hidden gems on Kentucky Avenue.
The program fits perfect for owners facing post-pandemic hurdles. With partners like the Chamber advocating at city levels, applicants get real support. Sessions like the BizCare help event on February 24 at 4811 Airport Plaza Drive showed locals how to shine in apps. More help pops up on the Level Up LB webpage. Long Island small businesses looking for similar opportunities can also explore free AI training and $25K in grants available to Long Island small businesses this spring.
Want in? Check eligibility at longbeach.gov/levelup—it's online and straightforward. Focus your app on growth plans: How will $10,000 help your business on Long Beach streets? Highlight needs like marketing for spots near the beach or finance tweaks for shops on Broadway.
Pro tips: Keep it real about challenges, like competing near the Long Beach Hotel or drawing year-round crowds. Use clear goals, like 'boost online sales 20% with social media training.' BizCare staff offers in-person aid—watch for dates after the February session. Deadlines loom, so start now. The Long Beach Zoning Board's recent activity is also reshaping the development landscape that local businesses operate within.
Prep docs early: Business license, revenue proof, and a story tying to Long Beach's vibe. The SBDC and SCORE mentors can review drafts. This is your shot to join winners powering jobs from Neptune Boulevard to the waterfront.
Long Beach thrives when small businesses level up. Head to longbeach.gov/levelup, apply by March 31, and turn your idea into action. For more on local business wins, explore how entrepreneurs across Long Island are capitalizing on redevelopment and local grants—your go-to for Long Island stories that matter.
